HIGHLIGHTS

Reports suggest that the cases are not restricted only to south India.

No medicine or vaccine to prevent Chikungunya.

HIGHLIGHTS

Cases of Chikungunya have increased in India in last three years.

Reports suggest that the cases are not restricted only to south India.

No medicine or vaccine to prevent Chikungunya.

Chikungunya virus which once thought to be dominant only in Southern India is spreading its wings in other parts of the country too. While a spurt of Chikungunya cases continues the in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and West Bengal, the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) has reported the diseases from unexpected States such as Delhi, Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and North Eastern States.

According to the NVBDCP, Chikungunya cases in India have increased in past three years from 16,049 in 2014, to 27,553 in 2015 and 9,990 cases till 28 July 2016 which is just the starting of the season. NVBDCP are suspecting a possible evolution in the virus that carries this disease and change in weather factors like humidity.

"The disease is caused by the same aedes aegypti mosquito which causes dengue, there is a sudden spike in chikungunya cases across India, but people should not panic," NVBDCP Director, A C Dhariwal said.

In past one and a half month out of 325 blood samples 188 have tested positive for this mosquito-borne disease at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.

"At present, there is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat chikungunya virus. Medicines can be used to ease symptoms. Patients are advised to get plenty of rest and drink fluids to prevent dehydration. It is important to note that aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) should not be taken until dengue is ruled out to reduce the risk of bleeding since both the ailments present similar symptoms," said Dr N K Yadav.Also Read